Jones was the start of something new at Iowa State, and he helped turn the program around in one season under Otzelberger’s first year as head coach. The incoming junior forward was one of seven transfers to join Otzelberger and his staff at Iowa State, a team that had gone 2-22 and winless in the Big 12 the year prior.
“I feel like a lot of us just wanted a fresh start,” former teammate Aljaž Kunc said. “I feel like we overlooked the fact that the last two seasons were bad.”
Kunc was Jones’ roommate during his first two years at Iowa State and saw firsthand the work ethic and competitiveness once he got on campus. Kunc always saw the chip that Jones had on his shoulder coming from a mid-major program, which translated into the dedication he put into the team.
Kunc remembered times when he was getting his treatment done after his lifts and he heard echoes of Jones throughout the facility.
“All you can hear from across the door is Rob,” Kunc said. “Screaming, yelling and pumping that weight and pushing everybody.”
Jones did not just push his teammates in the weight room; it was everywhere. The fact that a 6-foot-10, 250-pound forward was winning sprints on the soccer field made his teammates work even harder.
“I feel like Rob is definitely a good example of showing others how he handles himself when it comes to work, when it comes to treatment and just doing stuff to be successful,” Kunc said.
It was in his first year at Iowa State that Jones learned how to become a true big man. He had all the pieces to do so, especially the mentality when it came to putting in the work.
But he did not change anything. Jones stayed true to himself and let his personality embrace his style of play.
“Just got to be physical and talk the most and be the loudest on the court and be able to take everybody through anything at any time,” Jones said.
Described by Kunc as “no days off Rob,” Jones was an immediate spark to the team during the early morning workouts. When it was 7 a.m. and everyone walked in sleepy, Jones was the one to bring the locker room together and get everyone locked in.
“[Jones] is a hard-working guy. He has always been like that,” former teammate Gabe Kalscheur said.
The loudness and hard work that Jones put in earned him the nickname “Big Rob Energy” which eventually turned into an NIL deal with Cyclone Fanatic and is still how he is introduced on the PA system at Hilton.
But he doesn’t become “Big Rob” when he touches the court; it is his lifestyle.
“He is just a chill-ass dude,” Kunc said. “He’s ‘Big Rob’ off the court as well just because he is a big presence.”
